Firefighting teams continue to contain a fire in the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) that spread from Tokai to areas far south of the Peninsula.
Image: John Murry / Volunteer Wildfire Services
Several roads remained closed on Tuesday as two fire lines stretching from Tokai threatened Chapman’s Peak.
Despite the cooler temperatures and windless conditions that brought some reprieve to the ongoing blaze, fire crews remained concerned about its spread.
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said two aerial support choppers that were grounded by 6pm on Monday evening due to bad light resumed duty at first light on Tuesday.
While the fire was not yet contained by Monday, various fire services made significant progress in subduing the blaze that started on Friday.
Firefighters continue to battle the Table Mountain fire.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
“Two helicopters are airborne again this morning to continue aerial firefighting efforts. The fire is not contained yet, and there is some concern that the two fire lines are creeping towards Chapman’s Peak.
“A reminder to the public to please steer clear of the parts of the South Peninsula that have been affected by this fire, for their safety, but also to give firefighters space to do their jobs.
"We also want to reiterate our sincere appreciation to the individuals, businesses, and organisations who have made donations of food and drinks to the frontline workers – donations have closed for the moment, as we do have enough provisions to sustain the teams,” said Carelse.
Approximately 250 firefighters from multiple agencies worked tirelessly to battle against the wildfire burning in the central and south sections of Table Mountain National Park.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
One female firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital on Monday.
Carelse said crews from the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, Table Mountain National Park, NCC Wildfires, and Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) remain on scene to continue active firefighting and to watch for any potential flare-ups.
Traffic spokesperson, Maxine Bezuidenhout, confirmed the following road closures were in place:
- Westlake Drive and Boyes Drive
- Tokai Road and Zwaanswyk Road
- Old Boyes and Boyes Drive
- Boyes and Anderson Road
- Main Road and Old Boyes Drive
- Main Road and Boyes Drive
- Main and Clairvaux Drive
“Please avoid non-essential travel in these areas, as surrounding routes will likely be impacted by the traffic being diverted away from the closed routes,” said Bezuidenhout.
The SA National Parks (SANParks) said a flare-up started above Boyes Drive on Monday night, and was slowly burning down towards the road above Lakeside.
It said about 3 000 hectares of vegetation has been burnt.
Meanwhile, residents of Noordhoek Manor Retirement Village were forced to evacuate on Freedom Day.
The Noordhoek retirement village has also been evacuated, while residents of Barnyard and Silwersteen decided to evacuate.
Carelse said donations are currently closed because the frontline workers have enough provisions to sustain the teams.
Cape Argus